Top Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta in 2026

Surrounded by the towering Sierra Madre mountains, the white edges of beaches and the sparkling depths of the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is a tropical destination of contrasts and beauty.

Top & Best

These are what we consider the best/top options in, and around, Puerto Vallarta.
Top 10 Things To Do With Kids…

Top 10 Things To Do With Kids…

Summary Introduction If you travel to new and interesting places, like any good parent, you’ll take…

Garza Blanca Beach, Puerto Vallarta South Zone

50+ Beaches In And Around Puerto Vallarta,…

Introduction The main natural attractions that make Puerto Vallarta a truly magical place are three: They can…

Things You Must See In Puerto Vallarta

Things You Must See In Puerto Vallarta

Downtown Puerto Vallarta looking north When you travel around the world, you want to make…

Top Puerto Vallarta Options

Top Puerto Vallarta Options

The Best Options in Puerto Vallarta Here’s what we consider the best or top options…

Top 5 Beaches In Puerto Vallarta And…

Top 5 Beaches In Puerto Vallarta And…

Summary Introduction Obviously, it’s a complicated undertaking to create a small list of the best…

Parish Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe, Puerto…

Parish Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe, Puerto…

Parish/Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a church in Downtown Puerto Vallarta Summary Introduction Puerto…

Top 10 Beaches In Puerto Vallarta (With…

Top 10 Beaches In Puerto Vallarta (With…

Summary Introduction One of the main reasons we choose to go to Puerto Vallarta are…

Beaches, Landmarks & Things To See in Puerto Vallarta

Here’s a list of city landmarks and sightseeing options, most of them in Puerto Vallarta’s downtown area.
The Boy On The Seahorse…

The Boy On The Seahorse…

The Boy on the Seahorse (1976) Rafael Zamarripa Castañeda, Puerto Vallarta Malecon Summary About the…

Camarones Beach (Playa Camarones) In…

Camarones Beach (Playa Camarones) In…

Full walking tour of Camarones Beach, Downtown Puerto Vallarta (17/Dec./2021) Features & Amenities Summary Introduction…

A Boy, A Book, A…

A Boy, A Book, A…

A Boy, A Book, A Future (2000) Jose Ramiz Barquet Summary Introduction Continuing with the…

The Boy on the Seahorse

Las Pilitas, Los Muertos Beach,…

Las Pilitas (baptismal fonts), Los Muertos Beach, close to El Pulpito (Romantic Zone, Puerto Vallarta)…

Playa De Oro Beach In…

Playa De Oro Beach In…

Features & Amenities Summary Introduction Playa de Oro (Gold Beach) Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone The…

Puerto Vallarta Malecon (Boardwalk) A…

Puerto Vallarta Malecon (Boardwalk) A…

Features & Amenities Summary The Puerto Vallarta Malecon is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling…

Triton And Siren (1990) Carlos…

Triton And Siren (1990) Carlos…

Triton and Siren by Carlos Espino (1990) Summary Introduction A well-known, classical style sculpture on…

day trips (beaches, towns & more)

Wonderful coastal towns, beaches, colonial towns to visit, lots of fun things to do near Puerto Vallarta. Some need to travel a bit and might require a trip that lasts a whole day, or a bit longer, to make it enjoyable.
Caballo Beach (El Caballo) Cabo…

Caballo Beach (El Caballo) Cabo…

Caballo Beach, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico Features and Amenities Summary Introduction Caballo Beach (El Caballo),…

Chacala, A Hidden Paradise

Chacala, A Hidden Paradise

Introduction Chacala is a beach town in the state of Nayarit some 8 miles from…

Colomitos Beach, WAS A Small…

Colomitos Beach, WAS A Small…

I NO LONGER RECOMMEND VISITING THIS CABO CORRIENTES BEACH (THE NEIGHBORING MUNICIPALITY – NOT PUERTO…

Partial view of Destiladeras Beach Nayarit Mexico

Destiladeras Beach In Nayarit, Find…

Features & amenities Introduction Destiladeras Beach Panorama You’ll find Destiladeras Beach west of La Cruz de…

El Eden, A Piece Of…

El Eden, A Piece Of…

Summary Features & Amenities Introduction An exotic and popular attraction located in the south zone, upriver…

El Tuito, A Town With…

El Tuito, A Town With…

El Tuito, main square, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico Features & amenities El Tuito details More…

La Caleta, The Best Surfing…

La Caleta, The Best Surfing…

La Caleta, Nayarit, Mexico Introduction You can find La Caleta just north (some 2 miles)…

Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta in 2026

Puerto Vallarta shines year-round, but for optimal weather, visit from November to April during the dry season. Expect warm temps (75-85°F) and minimal rain. Summer (May-Oct) brings lower crowds and prices but higher humidity and hurricane risks. In 2026, aim for the Vallarta Pride Festival in May for vibrant events or whale-watching season (Dec-Mar).

Enjoying Puerto Vallarta (Food+Drinks, Sports, Culture & Shopping)

A more general list of things to do in Puerto Vallarta, includes food, Mexican culture, and sports activities.
Art Galleries In Puerto Vallarta

Art Galleries In Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta has established itself as a vibrant center of art creation, exhibition, and promotion. The…

Flea Market stands

Cuale River Island, A Downtown…

Cuale River Island Video Tour Features & Amenities Summary Right in the heart of Puerto…

Cuale River Municipal Market (Flea…

Cuale River Municipal Market (Flea…

Cuale River Municipal Market (Flea Market) Features & amenities Flea Market details Schedule Introduction Those…

Culture And Arts In Puerto…

Culture And Arts In Puerto…

Puerto Vallarta not only offers you a beautiful and enjoyable vacation with an endless array of…

Handicrafts And Folk Art, Huichol…

Handicrafts And Folk Art, Huichol…

Local handicrafts and folk art of the region include sandals and huaraches, made with leather…

Jewelries In Puerto Vallarta

Jewelries In Puerto Vallarta

All sterling silver in Mexico is marked with a small stamp .925. Items sold on the beach…

Ecotourism & Nature

Puerto Vallarta’s extraordinarily lush and biodiverse natural setting enhances its charm and makes it the delightful vacation destination it is.
Birdwatching In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Birdwatching In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Summary Passerina ciris One of the most profitable ecotourism activities in the United States and Canada is…

Canopy River Tour in Puerto Vallarta

Canopy Tours In Puerto Vallarta

Canopy Tours in Vallarta Canopy tours in Puerto Vallarta are a truly thrilling ecological experience that offers you the…

Crocodiles And Crocodile Sanctuaries In…

Crocodiles And Crocodile Sanctuaries In…

River Crocodile Estero El Salado Puerto Vallarta Watching the daily news and seeing how we…

Ecotourism & Nature

Ecotourism & Nature

Fun down-to-earth things to do Without its extraordinarily lush and biodiverse natural setting, Puerto Vallarta…

Ecotourism In Puerto Vallarta

Ecotourism In Puerto Vallarta

Ecotourism in Puerto Vallarta In a world in which communing with nature increasingly means a…

El Eden, A Piece Of…

El Eden, A Piece Of…

Summary Features & Amenities Introduction An exotic and popular attraction located in the south zone, upriver…

Humpback Whales, The Giants Of…

Humpback Whales, The Giants Of…

Puerto Vallarta Humpback Whales Text & Photos: Eduardo Lugo from Homes & Living These gentle…

There are many unique and wonderful things to do in, and near, Puerto Vallarta. Here is our list of all the fun things to enjoy in the area, you’ll surely find many options for your specific taste and by reviewing this section you make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

From the simple cobblestone streets in the downtown area to sophisticated amenities provided at Grand Tourism hotels, Puerto Vallarta is always a great beach destination choice.

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Puerto Vallarta offers each guest their own unique and ideal vacation mix of not only relaxation and wonder, but also tranquility and action.

If you’d like to arrive by sea, the Banderas Bay area boasts a number of modern and sophisticated Marinas, and for those who like golf, Vallarta has eight championship golf courses.

You can also feel assured by the knowledge that the city also offers top-level hospitals, no ugly surprises here.

No matter your particular preferences or indulgences, there’s a part of Puerto Vallarta that’s just right for you and your personal vacation.


Saint Paschal Baylon (2008) Jose Ramiz Barquet

Saint Paschal Baylon (2008) Jose Ramiz Barquet

Statue by Ramiz Barquet was installed on the Puerto Vallarta Malecon extension in 2008 a bronze statue of Saint Paschal Baylon, the patron saint of cooks
Shopping In Puerto Vallarta

Shopping In Puerto Vallarta

Many visit Puerto Vallarta to relax and sunbathe, but there are those who want to learn more about Mexico and its culture, for those who are looking for bargains and new experiences, shopping in the city is a great experience.
Malecon Lighthouse - range marker/beacon and Galeana/Morelos streets

Vallarta Malecon Lighthouse In Downtown Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta Malecon Lighthouse (Faro del Malecón in Spanish) located on the corner of Galeana and Morelos Streets in the downtown area
Vallarta Lighthouse, Matamoros Street Lookout In Puerto Vallarta

Vallarta Lighthouse, Matamoros Street Lookout In Puerto Vallarta

Vallarta Lighthouse is a remodeled lighthouse/beacon in downtown Puerto Vallarta on Matamoros street, up on the hill overlooking the town and Banderas Bay
El Salado Beach, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta

El Salado Beach, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta

El Salado Beach (Playa El Salado) a stunning 1.5 mile beach in Marina Vallarta Puerto Vallarta. Edges along many important hotels and resorts
Francisco Medina Ascencio By Rubén Orozco Loza (2013)

Francisco Medina Ascencio By Rubén Orozco Loza (2013)

Governor Francisco Medina Ascencio by Rubén Orozco Loza (2013) the sculptor from Guadalajara Jalisco located on the way in to Puerto Vallarta before the airport
Puerto Vallarta Zoo, Family Fun In Mismaloya

Puerto Vallarta Zoo, Family Fun In Mismaloya

A great day trip with the family is to go to the Vallarta Zoo at Mismaloya, a small zoological park where you get up close, pet and feed the animals.
Esmeralda Beach, South Zone, Puerto Vallarta

Esmeralda Beach, South Zone, Puerto Vallarta

Esmeralda Beach, located between Garza Blanca Beach and Las Gemelas Beach, is a hidden gem in the South Zone of Puerto Vallarta.
North Zone Attractions Puerto Vallarta

North Zone Attractions Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta’s north zone offers Las Marietas, Punta de Mita, there are the fishing villages of San Francisco, Sayulita and Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Destiladeras, La Manzanilla, Punta de Burros and more

Surrounded by the towering Sierra Madre mountains, the white edges of beaches and the sparkling depths of the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is a tropical destination of contrasts and beauty.

FAQs

What are the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta?

The top beaches include Playa Los Muertos for vibrant nightlife, Playa Conchas Chinas for seclusion, and Playa Camarones for a local vibe. All offer stunning Pacific views.

Is Puerto Vallarta good for families?

Yes, with family-friendly activities like boat tours, the Cuale River Island park, and dolphin encounters. Avoid peak party seasons for a calmer experience.

What tours should I book in 2026?

<p>Top tours include snorkeling at Los Arcos, zip-lining in the Sierra Madre, and sunset cruises. Book in advance for the best rates and availability.

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